It was the second time Sagna had suffered a broken fibula in the same leg that season. Against Tottenham Hotspur on Oct. 2, a contested header with Benoit Assou-Ekotto had sent Sagna careening into an advertising board at White Hart Lane. The awkward tumble caused his leg to buckle underneath him.

Both of Sagna's injuries were diagnosed as requiring long-term convalescence periods, whereas Wilshere's was initially deemed less than severe.

Given an initial recuperation period of two weeks, the teenage midfielder saw his return pushed back time and again. Wilshere underwent two surgeries to his ankle, and suffered from a knee problem as he attempted to recover fitness.

It's all looking more promising now, however. According to Metro's Jamie Sanderson, Wilshere has undergone a strenuous running regime and has begun working on the ball in training.

He has undergone tests on his knee and ankle which have drawn the satisfaction of the club's physiotherapists. "(Wilshere) is coming along nicely," Camden reported one of them as saying.

Following Arsenal's first win of the season against Liverpool, the news that two of its first-choice players are nearing returns to full action is hugely encouraging.

Never one to jump to conclusions, Wenger has said that Wilshere remains at least a month away from making his return. Sagna is believed to be closer to rejoining the first team.